by Grant, Livia
It was Angelina who was scandalized by her mother’s outburst, not because she disagreed, but because she had to put her hands over the ears of her teenage daughter, who was now much more interested in the juicy conversation going on around her than her cell phone. “Mom, please. The kids are here.”
Bella grinned. “Fine. I’ll behave.”
Lukus and Tiffany remained silent as the family commotion swirled around them. Tiffany saw humor playing in his eyes; she knew her Dom, the man she loved, was having fun. She looked for any sign of regret in his eyes, and saw only love shining back at her.
Aiden had one final, lame objection. “For crying out loud. He doesn’t even have a ring.”
It was Colleen to the rescue. “Here. I have Grandma Antonelli’s ring on my right hand. I’ll let you borrow it until you can get your own ring.”
She rushed forward and thrust the ring into Lukus’s hand before hugging him tightly. “You must really love her. No man would put up with this crazy family otherwise.”
Lukus grinned back at his future sister-in-law. “Thanks, Colleen. I think you might be right.”
He turned back to Tiffany. On cue, everyone quieted down again.
Tiffany was sure her heart was going to pound out of her chest as Lukus held her left hand in his and slipped Grandma Antonelli’s square-cut ruby onto her ring finger.
“Tiffany Lauren O’Sullivan. Will you marry me?” he asked.
She saw a vulnerability in his eyes. Did he really not know how happy she was? How she would have walked across hot coals to see his face every day for the rest of her life?
She felt the fullness of the plug and was reminded of all of the kinky things this man was going to do to her if she said yes. She thought back to the severe punishment she’d been on the receiving end of just a week before, when she’d put herself in danger and disobeyed her HoH. By saying yes now, she knew she was signing up for a lifetime of the same.
In that moment, there was only one answer.
“You’re making me the happiest woman on the face of the earth today, Lukus Mitchell. Yes! Double yes! I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“It’s not going to be easy being married to me. You know that, right?” he asked.
Tiff grinned. “Are you trying to talk me out of it already?”
“Sass. You’re just full of sass.” He was grinning back.
“Yes, but you love my sass.”
“Yes. Yes, I do. You know what else I love?”
She didn’t even get a chance to reply. Lukus moved into action, standing up and scooping her into his arms before marching through her family towards the house.
She heard Liam shouting out behind them. “Where are you two going?”
“Your sister and I have some celebrating to do. We’ll be back down in time for dinner.”
Relief that no one could see her flaming face buried against Lukus’s neck filled Tiffany as she held on to him tightly. “Honey! Everyone is going to know what we’re doing!” she said.
He looked down at her in his arms. “I own a sex club, baby. That doesn’t really bother me. The question is, does it bother you?”
She only had to think for a few seconds. “Not in the least.”
Chapter Seventeen
Hannah - In California
“Don’t look now, but that hot guy is back. He’s at the end other end of the bar. Says he won’t let anyone but you wait on him.”
Hannah’s fellow bartender, Christy, had leaned in to be heard over the string quartet playing classical music in the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel. The lobby bar was full of pharmaceutical conventioneers, networking over drinks on the busy evening.
The irony was not lost on Hannah that after an entire year without going on so much as one single date, she now had not one, but two, hot men stopping by the bar to chat her up every chance they got. Instead of being flattered, she was on edge.
Glancing over her shoulder in her most nonchalant move, she tried to get a glimpse to see who was visiting. Was it the muscular bad-boy in jeans with colorful tattoos, Dylan, or the suave businessman in his designer suit, Jake? She supposed the disappointment at finding Jake staring at her with those icy-blue eyes of his was a hint of which of the two she’d been hoping for.
Figures, you always go for the bad-boy types. Maybe it’s time you give the man who has his collective shit together a fighting chance.
Even as she thought it, her sixth sense sounded the same damn alarm bells she’d heard going off during each of Jake’s other visits to the bar. On the surface, he’d been nothing but a gentleman, but she couldn’t shake feeling like she’d met him before, and considering the low-lifes she’d been surrounded by most of her life, that wasn’t a resounding endorsement.
After dropping off the check for a couple preparing to leave, Hannah took a deep breath and headed towards the man staring at her as if she were the entree on the expensive gourmet menu. His unwavering stare unnerved her as he tracked her approach.
His chilly silence forced her to speak first. “Mr. Davenport. I didn’t expect to see you back so soon.” She was proud of how calm she had kept her voice. “What would you like this evening?” Hannah busied herself, placing a cocktail napkin in front of the too-handsome man with the mesmerizing eyes.
“I’ve told you what it is I’d really like. I’ve come to see if you’ve changed your mind.”
Her heart rate picked up realizing he wasn’t going to dance around tonight like he had in the past. He was going direct to the hard-court press.
“If you’re referring to going out to dinner with you, I’m afraid I haven’t changed my mind. It’s against hotel policy to date guests.”
His smile displayed his perfectly white teeth. “That’s great. I’m not a guest. I’m a local.”
She wasn’t sure why this revelation shook her, but it did. It was one thing to have a frequent traveler, most likely lonely while away from home on business, trying to make a connection with her. It was another thing entirely to have someone who lived in the Bay area asking her out.
“So… I mean… why…”
Jake reached to grab a handful of the small cocktail pretzels from the bowl closest to him. Casually popping a few in his mouth, he leaned closer. “Let’s just say you caught my attention and I’d really like to get to know you better.”
She tried to keep from wilting under his intense stare as she mumbled a lame answer. “I’m the most boring person, trust me. There is nothing fun to know.”
“Oh, I disagree.” Jake Davenport lowered his eyes to look up and down her utilitarian uniform before returning his penetrating gaze to her. “I suspect there is a very interesting young woman hiding under that boring uniform.”
Hannah’s insecurities helped her resist the temptation of dabbling with a man like Jake Davenport. With his designer suit, expensive watch, and the convertible he’d boasted of owning—he was completely out of her league, and that meant he couldn’t possibly want anything from her that she was willing to give.
“I’m sorry. I just don’t have much time to date. I work two jobs, and…” she purposefully held back sharing her most personal secrets, opting to add… “I’m still wrapping up my schooling.”
“Why don’t you pour me a shot of your top-shelf Whiskey and tell me more about your schooling. After all, that’s really what drew me to you in the first place.”
Hannah had just turned to grab the bottle of Hennessy whiskey she remembered him ordering on his last visit when she froze, spinning back to look at him again.
“Say that again? You knew I was in college?” She was sure she’d never mentioned it to him before, so how would he have a clue?
“An associate of mine is a professor at your university. I often ask him for references when I’m looking for new employees for one of my many businesses.”
“One of my professors recommended me?” Hannah hated how her voice squeaked.
Jake hesitated briefly before replying. “Let’s n
ot get bogged down by the details, shall we? Just know that I understand you’re earning your degree in accounting and as luck would have it… I’m looking for a new accountant.” When Hannah was too surprised to speak, he added. “Don’t you think it’s time for you to get a real job… one where you can use your education? That will allow you to stop working yourself to death at two jobs?”
She felt foolish. All this time, she’d thought he was flirting with her. Wanting to go on a date. But no, he was looking for an accountant. She turned back towards the shelf of booze, grateful she could hide her reaction from him while she poured a shot into the rock glass. She should be relieved. Excited even. It had taken her years to fight for a better life.
So why does this feel all wrong?
Schooling her reaction, she spun and delivered the drink to the waiting cocktail napkin in front of the most handsome man at the bar.
Jake downed the amber liquid in one gulp, slamming the glass back to the napkin before leaning forward across bar, closing the distance between them until she could smell the liquor on his warm breath.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Hannah. You’re intelligent. You deserve better than pouring booze and arranging flowers.”
Had she told him about her second job?
“Let me take you to dinner. You can ask me more about the job, and I can enjoy that beautiful smile of yours while I pamper you for a change.”
She watched as he pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet before lifting her hand from the bar, and thrusting the note into her palm. She felt an almost electric shock as he wrapped his manicured hands around her closed fist, letting a brief intimacy seep between them.
“Keep the change, Hannah. Check your schedule. I’ll call you tomorrow. I’ll expect you to let me know which night you’ll be free for dinner in the next week.”
Before she even gathered her wits about her, Jake Davenport stood, leaned across the bar and placed a platonic kiss on her cheek before adding, “See you soon. Don’t keep me waiting too long.”
He walked away, weaving gracefully between the crowded cocktail tables filled with tipsy guests.
She should say no. It didn’t feel right. He didn’t feel right.
Then she remembered how short she was going to be on rent in a few days. Glancing down at the now-wrinkled money in her hand, she allowed a glimmer of hope to take hold. She’d been scratching every penny she had together month after month just to make ends meet. She was tired. So damn tired.
Maybe this was the big break she’d been waiting for.
Or, maybe not.
* * *
Tiffany
"Thanks for lunch, Aiden. I was so worried I was going to lose you after last weekend. I'm glad you're coming to terms with the fact that I love Lukus."
Tiffany's brother had lectured her throughout the entire meal about how she was throwing her life away on Lukus Mitchell. She hoped one day soon he would see how happy she was since meeting her Dom and new fiancé.
"Don't make me laugh, Tiff. I loathe leaving you here, knowing what kind of a place this is."
So maybe Aiden hasn't come to terms with my love life, after all.
"Well, you shouldn't, because I've never been happier than I've been since moving in with Lukus here at his loft. I'm going to marry him, Aiden."
Her brother growled. "I'll believe that when I see it. Men like Mitchell don't settle down, Tiff. He may be having fun playing house for a few months, but in the end, he'll never be good enough for you."
She pushed down her own insecurities. "You're wrong. Lukus loves me." Tiffany glanced at her watch, nervous because she'd been gone too long. "Listen, I really need to run, but stay in touch, okay?"
Aiden leaned across the seat to give his sister a kiss on the cheek before she hopped out of his SUV. She was relieved when her brother didn't pull away until she'd input her entry card to get into Lukus's place. Considering there was an evil maniac out to harm Tiffany and her best friend, she felt safer the second she heard the heavy door latch behind her.
Guilt started closing in once she was in the small elevator that would take her upstairs. With Jake Davenport still on the loose, her Dom had kept her on lock-down at his loft for the last few days since returning from Michigan. Lukus was ultra-protective of his submissive fiancée, and she'd been going stir crazy being stuck inside. Most days he didn't even let her go to her job at the The Beauty Box, and when she did go to work, she had a bodyguard. Thank goodness Lukus had left her home alone today so she could sneak out to have lunch with her brother and try to start repairing their relationship.
The ding of the elevator arriving at the expansive loft jarred her out of her thoughts. She'd barely stepped out into the foyer when she came face-to-face with a frantic Lukus, cell phone at his ear.
"Never mind, Derek. Call off the search. She just walked in. Later."
Tiffany couldn't say a word for the lump choking her at the realization her Dom had found out she'd disobeyed him.
Lukus lunged forward, closing the gap between them to pull her into his arms, squeezing her so long and hard she started to feel light-headed. She could feel him trembling, which made her feel even worse than if he'd just started lecturing her for disobeying.
By the time he pulled back enough so she could look into his eyes, she was the one trembling, knowing how he would be dealing with her decision to leave the loft without a guard.
"Lukus, I can explain—"
"Really? Because I can't wait to hear why the woman I love—the woman who has agreed to let me be her Dom and HoH—the woman who promised to stay in the loft so the lunatic sadist who is trying to hurt her couldn't lay his hands on her—why the fuck that woman would leave without her bodyguard, without calling or even leaving a note—even leaving without her cell phone so I couldn't call her!"
His voice had been rising until he ended on a full-out shout. Tiffany had never seen Lukus lose his cool like this, not even the first time he'd 'lost his shit', as his friend Derek had called it.
She licked her lips self-consciously, trying to stay calm. "You're right to be mad for my not leaving a note, but I promise, I was safe. I just had lunch with Aiden and, since he's a cop, he had his gun with him. I promise I didn't leave his side. He picked me up and dropped me off at the door and we stayed local, just going to the diner down the street."
"I don't fucking care if he took you to a locked-down safe house. You didn't listen to me. You left against my explicit instructions. You basically said, 'fuck you, Lukus. I don't love you enough to obey you.'"
She forced a smile, but it only made him look like he was going to unleash another angry rant. His green eyes lit into her, burning her with layers of guilt for worrying him.
"Honey, all I can say is I'm sorry that I didn't call so you wouldn't worry."
"Don't honey me like you forgot to do the damn dishes. This is serious shit, Tiff; life and death kind of serious. I haven't wanted to worry you with all of the dirt we've dug up on Davenport, but believe me when I say he'll stop at nothing to prey on vulnerable women."
Lukus released her, pushing Tiffany away as he stormed to the kitchen island to put some distance between them. She fought the urge to break into tears, in part because she was so angry with herself, but mostly because Lukus had a harder time staying angry with her when she cried and she didn't want him to feel she was manipulating him.
A long silence stretched out before Lukus spoke with a forced calmness. "Strip—naked—right where you are, and then go lie over the back of the love seat with your ass laid out for your punishment."
"Lukus... please."
"Not one more word, little girl. And no more 'Lukus' until further notice. I've clearly been too soft on you, so until I'm done lighting up your disobedient ass like I never have before, I'm 'Sir', and don't forget it."
Tiffany's pulse skyrocketed at his angry words. She'd lived through several intense discipline sessions at his hands, but Lukus was a man of his word. She had no do
ubt that he wouldn't be stopping today until he was sure she'd learned not to leave the loft without her guard, at least not until Jake Davenport was behind bars.
She made a last attempt at an apology. "I'm so sorry I didn't listen but please, Sir, I promise I was safe with Aiden."
The determined lock of his jaw as he crossed his muscular arms, pinning her with a look of raw dominance, made her pounding heart lurch. Master Lukus had arrived, and as positive as she was that she was going to hate the welts he would surely leave on her ass, she was just as sure she deserved every last lash for her blatant disobedience.
Moving in slow motion, she pulled her frilly top off to display her lacy bra to her Dom. She looped her thumbs in the waistband of her yoga pants, lowering them to the floor. Lukus didn't so much as flinch while she hesitated, but his powerful gaze urged her to move faster as she removed her bra and panties to stand before him, naked.
She wilted until her legs felt like they'd give out. Tiff shuffled to the nearby lounging area, tentatively lowering her body across the back of the furniture. Lukus was there, lifting her hips so her ass rose high in the air, forcing her onto her tiptoes as she leaned forward, grasping the front edge of the seat cushion.
Embarrassed heat lit her face as she realized the picture she made, laid out for her angry fiancé. Wasting no time before launching into the punishment, Lukus landed several open-palmed spanks to her left, then her right butt cheek... and then stopped.
After only a half-dozen full-force spanks, he lowered his hand. "Fuck, I need to wait. I'm losing control." She felt the heat of his body leave as he stepped away. "I love you too much, Tiff, to risk that." His voice vibrated with the effort that slowing down the punishment took. "Don't you move even your little finger, got it?"
"Yes, Sir, I'll lie here."
The angry footsteps of his leather boots could be heard stomping off to their bedroom, leaving her alone and ashamed. The tears she'd been holding back fell onto the fabric of the couch beneath her as she struggled to hold her legs in their splayed and lewd position.
